SAG Awards Film 2019

Predictions

Best Film Ensemble

One of the standout stars of the the new HBO sci-fi western “Westworld” is Thandie Newton, who is sure to be a strong contender at both the upcoming cycle of awards as well as next year’s Emmys. “Westword” is set in a futuristic theme park where rich customers enter a world of cowboys, saloons and shootouts. Newton plays one of the the lifelike robot hosts, town madam Maeve Millay.

In the second episode, “Chestnut,” Maeve’s diminishing desirability to the guests causes her to undergo review. Newton displays her acting talents throughout, especially in a compelling sequence in which she recalls an attack she faced with her daughter at the farm and in the final scene when she wakes up during an operation and then wanders around the facility to discover what lies behind the curtain.

In our weekly “Westworld” recap (watch above), I was joined by Gold Derby contributors Riley Chow, Tom O’Brien and Amanda Spears to discuss this installment. Spears declared, “Newton was so good in this episode. This would be an episode to win, if she were to be nominated at the Emmys.” O’Brien agreed, “I think it could stand up to any Emmy contender across the board. She would be very competitive with this.”

Chow observed, “Critics got the first four episodes so her showcase is one that’s been talked about a lot online already.” He added that with no other supporting actress contenders from the show “she doesn’t have any internal competition.” I agreed “it’s a strong performance and will be a very competitive tape in a supporting race. She’s in a good spot.”

And with four of last year’s drama supporting actresses out of the running, there is definitely room for Newton both at the Emmys as well as the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice and SAG Awards. Voters for those latter three kudos are considering performances and shows right now, so the timing of this episode could well work in Newton’s favor.

Make your early Golden Globes TV Awards picks now and tell industry insiders which shows and performers you have out front to win on January 8. You can keep changing them until just before nominations are announced on December 12 at 5 am PT/8 am ET. But it is important to register your initial predictions now both to lock in those all-important starter odds and let Hollywood know who has the inside track for these kudos. Be sure to make your predictions right here. You’ll compete for a place of honor on our leaderboard and a starring role in next year’s Top 24 Users (the two dozen folks who do the best predicting this year’s nominees). Read our contest rules.